Self-heating container

ABSTRACT

A package product is completely ensealed within a container formed of heat-conducting material and joined along its upper rim to the upper edge of a shell to thus be disposed within the upper portion of said shell. The shell, preferably, has the same cross sectioned configuration as the body of said container, the configuration of said shell being larger than that of said container body so as to provide an air gap therebetween. The shell is provided with vents communicating with said air gap, and the bottom of said shell is enclosed by an end structure supporting interiorally of the shell a supply of fuel preferably in solid form. Surrounding said shell and substantially coextensive therewith is a slideably fitted sleeve formed of heat insulating material provided with ports near its bottom edge. In the normal position of the sleeve relative to the shell, the ports or vents in each are covered by the structure of the other. To prepare the package for its heating function, the sleeve is displaced relatively to the shell either downwardly or circumferentially a sufficient distance to fully expose the ports or vents in both the sleeve and shell which complete an air circulation path through the shell after its bottom end closure is ruptured, the fuel ignited and the package placed to rest on any suitable flat surface. To extinguish, the sleeve and the shell are displaced relative to each other to close the ports and thus shut off any air to the fuel supply.

United States Patent I 1 3,566,857

[72] Inventor Dan M. Price Primary Examiner-Charles J. Myhre PO. Box308, Litchfield, [11. 62056 Attorney-March, Le Fever & Wyatt [21] Appl.No. 816,008 [22] Filed Apr. 14,1969 5 p d 2, 1971 ABSTRACT: A packageproduct 18 completely ensealed within a container formed ofheat-conducting material and joined along its upper rim to the upperedge of a shell to thus be disposed within the upper portion of saidshell. The shell, preferably, has the same cross sectionedconfigurationas the body of said container, the configuration of said shell beinglarger than that of said container body so as to provide an air gaptherebetween. The shell is provided with vents commu- SELF-HEATINGCONTAINER nicating with said air gap, and the bottom of said shell isen- 10 Claims, 12 Drawing Figs. closed by an and structure supportinginteriorally of the shell a 52 us. Cl 126/262 suPPlY fuel Prefmbly slidSumunding said A478 23/04 and substantially coextensive therewith is aslideably fitted 126,262 43 sleeve formed of heat insulating materialprovided with ports near its bottom edge. In the normal position of thesleeve rela- [51] Int. Cl. [5 0] Field of Search [56] References Citedtive to the shell, the ports or vents in each are covered by the UNITEDSTATES PATENTS structure of the other. To prepare the package for itsheating function, the sleeve is displaced relatively to the shell either2036611 4/1936 9 downwardly or circumferentially a sufficient distanceto fully 1 g i k 126,262 expose the ports or vents in both the sleeveand shell which aramc I complete an air circulation path through theshell after its bot- FOREIGN PATENTS tom end closure is ruptured, thefuel ignited and the package 24,009 1914 Great Britain 126/262 placed torest on any suitable flat surface. To extinguish, the

96,165 9/1922 Switzerland..... 126/43 sleeve and the shell are displacedrelative to each other to 580,829 9/1924 France 126/43 7 close the portsand thus shut off any air to the fuel supply.

'PATENTEUHAR 219 I SHEEI 1 OF 4 FIGZ FIG.

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Z M i INVENTOR. D4 N PRICE mew, LEFEVEE Iii 1hr] 4 r ranwersSELF-HEATING CONTAINER This invention relates generally to theconvenience-packaging of consumer products normally used or consumed ina heated condition. More particularly, the invention relates to adisposable package for such products which is so constructed as toconstitute a form of stove having incorporated therewith a supply offuel sufficient, whenv ignited, to heat the product to a desiredtemperature without fire hazard and which is fabricated fromconventional low-cost packaging materials so as not to significantlyincrease packaging costs, thereby rendering the package in an economicsense, justifiably disposable after use.

The invention is advantageously applicable to products in many differentcategories and is considered to have especial utility in connection withthe packaging of a wide variety of foods products. Many persons such as,for example, military troops, explorers, campers, etc. exist, often forextended periods, under circumstances or at locations whereof no stoves,other forms of heating devices or even fuel of any type is available,thus requiring them to consume their rations or food supply in anunheated, distasteful condition. By use of the present invention, suchpersons under the same circumstances will be able to heat their rationsor food supply rapidly, efficiently and conveniently to a desiredtemperature, the food product having been maintained in properly sealedcontainers at all times prior to the heating and consumption thereof.Even for persons not engaged in such pursuits and having ready access toa stove or other heating equipment, the convenience and mobility factorinherent in this invention provides considerable advantages in that itcompletely eliminates the need to dirty and subsequently wash a cookingutensil, and also a serving dish or bowl, since the novel package canfulfill the function of both and is intended for discard after use. Useof the package of this invention also results in complete meal mobilitysince the unit is completely self-sufficient as to its source of heat.

An object of the present invention is to improve upon means forpackaging a product normally used or consumed in a heated condition.

Another object is to provide a package for such a product withself-contained means, including a supply of fuel, for heating theproduct to a desired temperature, said package being safe with no firehazard involved.

A still further object is to provide such a package at a relatively lowcost.

Other objects of the invention, together with the features contributingthereto and the advantages accruing therefrom, will be apparent from thefollowing description when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective and exploded to show separately theproduct container and the shell in which it is mounted;

FIG. 2 is a view in perspective illustrating diagrammatically one formof heat insulating material which, after its edges are joined together,serves as an insulating sleeve and label slideably fitted to the shellstructure of the package;

FIG. 3 is a view in perspective of the complete package illustrating onemeans for securing the product container to the shell;

FIG. 4 is a view in perspective of the package illustratingdiagrammatically how the parts are manipulated in preparation for theheating operation;

FIG. 5 is a view in side elevation of the package upon completion of theheating operation with the contained product at the proper temperaturefor use or consumption.

FIG. 6 is a view in perspective of another embodiment of the inventionwherein the annular sleeve of insulating material is rotated in the sameplane to open thedrafting vents;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of theinvention, wherein the annular sleeve is telescoped upwardly to exposethe drafting vents;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of one embodiment of the invention showing acorrugated and efficient heat insulating annular sleeve with bottomdrafting vents;

FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are views in side elevation showing two variations inigniting means;

FIG. ll is a view showing in detail the flame funnel of the heatingmeans; and

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the inventionillustrating the combination of the heating element and a collapsiblecontainer affixed thereto.

Referring now to the drawings, one embodiment of the product container 1can be seen in FIG. 1 and includes a container body 2 of which thebottom and sidewalls are formed from conventional packaging materialsuch as aluminum, tin plate, or the like having good heat conductingproperties. The shape of the container body may be of any suitableconfiguration but, preferably, is substantially cylindrical as shownexcept for the upper sidewall portion which tapers or flares outwardlyslightly to its junction in a rolled under seam or chime 3 with a topend closure preferably providing easy opening means which may be of thetype now commonly known as a Whirlaway Top" comprising, as also shown inFIG. 4, a spiral tear strip 5 secured at its inner end to a pull tab 5.The seam or chime 3 provides the container with an hermetic seal, inorder that the product, especially if a food product such as baked beans6, will be adequately protected and preserved over an extensive periodsubsequent to the packing thereof.

In the assembled package, the container 1 is disposed Within the upperportion of a receptacle or shell 10 having a body 11 formed fromheat-resistant packaging material into the same general shape,cylindrical in this instance, as that of the product container body 2,although of somewhat larger dimensions. The diameter of the shell body11 is substantially the same as that of the product container chime 3which is slightly larger than that of the major portion of the containerbody 2 by reason of the slight outward taper or flare therein, asaforesaid. The upper edge or rim 12 of shell body 11 engages withproduct container chime 3 to support the container 1 concentricallywithin the shell 10 and thereby create an air gap of uniform widthbetween the cylindrical outer surface of container body 2 and innersurface of shell body 11. Preferably the rim 12 may be in the shape of aturned-in curl to provide a better seal for chime 3, the engaging partsbeing joined together, to render container 1 and shell 10 an integralstructure, by any suitable means. One such means, as clearly seen inFIG. 3, could be a strip of tape 13 coated with an adhesive and wrappedaround chime 3 and rim 12. Obviously, other bonding means could insteadbe used such as solder, cement or the like.

Disposed immediately beneath the rim 12, the shell body 11 is formedwith a series of apertures serving as ports or vents l4 communicatingwith the air gap between shell body 11 and container body 2 to permitthe escape to atmosphere of air or gases from within the shell duringthe heating operation hereafter described. Although shown as circular,the vents 14 may be of any desired shape, size and number such as willpermit them to accomplish their stated purpose.

The bottom of shell 10 is enclosed by an end closure 15 in FIG. 2 whichis joined to the bottom edge of shell body 11 by a seam or chime 16. Endclosure 15 is formed with a removable tear-out section 17 to which isattached a pull tab 18. On its inner surface and adjacent the removablesection 17, the end closure 15 supports a supply of combustible materialin the form of a solid fuel pellet 19 containing, for example, a fuelsuch as smokeless alcohol or the like which when properly encapsulatedis safe to handle but can be ignited to burn at a predetermined rate.Preferably there is provided an igniting unit, activated by the pull tab18 incident to tearing away the removable section of the end closure forlighting the pellet 19, as is described more completely hereinafter.

In some embodiments the pellet, after rupture of the end closure byremoval of tear-out section 17, can be readily ignited by any suitablemeans such as a match, pocket lighter, etc. Once ignited, combustion ofthe fuel is maintained by oxygen in the air entering shell 10 throughthe ruptured end closure 15 and exiting through vents 14 in the shellafter being heated by the burning fuel, rising and giving up heat to theproduct container ll.

Surrounding the shell body 11 and coextensive therewith is a snugfitting jacket or sleeve 25 comprised of flexible sheet material havinggood heat insulating properties. As indicated diagrammatically in FIG. 2the material of the sleeve may be a laminate of two or more pIiesZSa,2512 which could be, for example, asbestos paper and aluminum foil,respectively, or the like. An additional ply, not shown, of foamedplastic or the like, could be used to provide further insulation, ifdesired. Preferably, the outer surface of sleeve 25 is of a material orhas a coating upon which may be printed appropriate productidentification, thereby rendering the sleeve a form of label for thecontained product.

Immediately above its bottom edge the sleeve is formed with a series ofapertures constituting ports 26 for admitting air from the atmospherewhen the sleeve is properly positioned relative to shell for the heatingoperation. Ports 26, as in the case of vents 14, may be of any suitableshape, size or number such as will accomplish the stated purpose.

The sleeve 25 is not permanently adhered to the shell and, althoughsnugly embracing same, may be slideably displaced as by rotation in itsoriginal plane (twisting) or withdrawn axially therefrom, in telescopicfashion, at least to an extended position at which the vents 14 andports 26 are fully exposed or uncovered. When thus extended and thepackage placed upright on any suitable flat supporting surface, thesleeve acts as a stand or holder for maintaining the shell 10 inelevated relation to the supporting surface. It may be found thatapplication of a twisting force to the sleeve, as indicated in FIG. 4,will facilitate its withdrawal to the extended position.

FIG. 3 illustrates the normal position of the respective parts whereinvents 14 are covered exteriorally by the sleeve 25, and the ports 26 inthe sleeve are covered interiorally by the body 11 of shell 10. FIGS. 4and 5 show the sleeve in its extended position wherein the ports 26 andvents 14 are uncovered to complete an air circulation path upwardlythrough shell 10, assuming that the package is resting upright on a flatsurface and that the removable section 17 ofthe shell end closure hasbeen torn away. This circulation path is indicated by the directionalarrows in FIG. 5 showing air entering through ports 26, rising withinshell 10 and exiting through vents 14. By providing an air gap betweencontainer body 2 and shell body 11, and by locating vents 14 such as tocommunicate with the uppermost area of said gap, the circulating air iscaused to contact and envelop substantially the entire surface of thecontainer body thus assuring rapid and efficient heating of thecontained product.

In initiating the heating operation the sleeve is first extended beforetearing away the removable section 17 of the shell end closure andigniting the fuel pellet 19. The package is then, preferably, upright ona supporting surface for the duration of combustion. The amount of fuelsupplied is predetermined according to the nature of the product. If itshould be desired to underheat the product, combustion can be terminatedat any time prior to exhaustion of the fuel supply by pushing shell 10downwardly to its original position fully within sleeve 25, therebyclosing vents 14 and ports 26 to interrupt air circulation and preventoxygen from reaching the fuel pellet. The package can, if desired, behandled at all times in view of the heat insulating character of sleeve25. Removal of the easy-open end closure for the product container 1 canbe accomplished at any suitable time so that upon completion of theheating operation the heated product may be used or consumed, directlyfrom the container, if desired, with the aid of an appropriate implementor utensil 27 which, in the present instance, could be a fork or aspoon.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 illustrate two embodiments of the invention wherein acirculating draft is established through air vents 26 at the lower endof annular body 10 and 14 at the upper end thereof by the planarrotation of annular sleeve 25 (twisting) and by sliding annular sleeve25 upwardly, (telescoping) respectively.

FIG. 8 shows graphically-by an end view of one embodiment of theinventive concept-how the heat insulating properties desirable inannular sleeve member 25 can be accomplished by constructing the sleevemember from corrugated material.

FIGS. 9, l0 and 1] illustrate one important feature of the invention,namely the flame funnel feature which is not shown in FIGS. l8, dealingmore particularly with structural features of the invention.

Flame funnel 33 is adapted to fit within the heating chamber of annularbody 10 and its larger end is positioned in close proximity to thebottom of container body 1.

Flame funnel 33 is preferably constructed of a fine mesh wire gauze, butmay also be made of a solid noncombustible material which is perforatedwith multitudinous perforations, so as to perform the followingfunctions.

1. The flame funnel confines the flames from the fuel within the funnelproper since the flame will not penetrate the funnel, and permits aready passage for air to flow in to support the combustion.

2. The inwardly curved portion 34 of flame funnel 33 confines the flameand prevents it going up the sides of container body 1 so that heatingis concentrated at the bottom of container body 1.

3. The flame funnel prevents the flame from contacting the sides ofannular sleeve 10 and thus requires less insulation thereof.

4. When using flame funnel 33, the fuel is confined in the neck portionthereof and thus more safely confines fuel in the event the pelletbecomes broken during transport.

5. The spring action of flame funnel 33 tightly holds the fuel pelletand thus eliminates need for any other fastening means.

6. By positioning the fuel pellet in the neck of flame funnel 33 therate of combustion is controlled; the further down the funnel neck thepellet is placed, the slower the burning rate.

7. The use of the flame funnel controls the flow of air to the burningfuel and thus prevents a gusty flow which might tend to extinguish theflame.

8. Flame funnel 33 holds the burning fuel away from the bottom ofannular body 10 and thus maintains the end member 15 at a lowertemperature. Thus the unit can safely be rested on any surface duringoperation without damage to the surface.

9. The flexible nature of flame funnel 33 enables it to be adapted tovarious size containers. Similarly by adjusting container body 1upwardly or downwardly in relation to flame funnel 33 more or less ofthe bottom element 2 of container 1 is contacted by flame from burningfuel pellet 19.

Although the flame confining device just described is referred to as afunnel, it will be readily recognized that the device may be of anyshape which performs the desired functions. For example, it may beU-shaped, of a frustroconical shape; frustropyramidal shape, etc. Theterm funnel as used herein, is meant to cover any such narration inshape.

One important aspect of the present invention is the manner in whichfuel pellet 19 is ignited. As was set out above, an external ignitiondevice, such as a match, cigarette lighter, etc. may be applied to fuelpellet 19 through the aperture resulting when pull tab 18 is operated toremove end closure 17. However, the preferred embodiment of thisinvention is self-com tained with respect to ignition means.

It will be appreciated by those familiar with the art that variousembodiments of self-contained ignition means may be designed into thestructures illustrated without departing from the concept ofself-contained ignition means.

Two of such means are illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10.

In FIG. 9 there is shown flame funnel 33 adapted within annular body 10.Disposed in the neck of flame funnel 33 is fuel pellet 19. Also adaptedin the neck of flame funnel 33 and adjacent to or in close proximity tofuel pellet 19 is igniter 29. lgniter 29 is comprised of any of thevarious well-known ignition agents such as phosphorous compounds and thelike which, upon being elevated in temperature due to friction with anabrading surface, burst into flame. The common kitchen match head is aspecific example of such an igniting composition. Pull tab 18 isattached to end closure 17 which is coated on the inner surface thereofwith an abrasive coating 30. When pull tab 18 is operated closure 17 isadapted to move horizontally and abrasive 30 is engaged in slidablecontact with igniter 29, frictional heat generated thereby causesignition of igniter 29 which in turn ignites fuel pellet 19.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10, end closure 31 is adapted tobe rotated about a central pivot pin, not shown by means of twistingprojections 32. This rotational movement forces abrading surface 36across and in sliding contact with igniter 29 and, as above, igniter 29is ignited, and in turn combustion of fuel pellet l9 begins.

it is also contemplated that igniter 29 and abrading surfaces 30 and 33can be comprised of the well-known safety match ignition compositionswhich is illustrated by the compositions used in book matches, forexample. 7

If desired, igniter 29 can be made of a material which spontaneouslyignites when exposed to airQTh'us when end closure 17, FIG. 9, isremoved and air strikes igniter 29, it spontaneously ignites, startingthe combustion of fuel pellet 19.

Other self contained ignition systems may also be used. For example, theunit may be designed such that when any portion is moved relative toanother portion, a strip of abrading surface is slidably engaged in afiring surface, resulting in ignition. The inventive concept embracesall such embodiments.

While there has been shown and described what is considered a preferredembodiment of the invention, changes in form and detail could obviouslybe made without departing from the spirit of the invention. It istherefore intended that the invention be not limited to the exact formand details shown and described, nor to anything less than the whole ofthe invention herein disclosed as hereafter claimed.

1. Packaging means adapted for heating a product packaged thereincomprising: i

a container having a tubular body fabricated from heat conductivepackaging material and provided with a top end closure for sealing saidproduct within said container;

a shell having a bottom end closure and an elongated tubular bodyfabricated from a heat resistant packaging material and supportingwithin its upper end, when in an upright position, thebody ofsaidcontainer in inwardly spaced relation to the body of; said shell todefine an air gap therebetwecn, .said shell body being formed with ventscommunicating with said gap to enable to escape of air from said shell;and

a supply of fuel disposed within the opposite lower end of said shellbody and supported by said bottom end closure below said container, saidfuel when ignited causing heated air to circulate upwardly within saidshell into contact with the body of said container and thence outthrough said vents and in so doing conveying heat to the body of saidcontainer and the product contained therein, said bottom end closurehaving a removable section manually severable therefrom to form arupture through which air may enter into said shell, and including meansoperatively associated with said removable section and activated by theseverance of said section from said bot tom end closure for ignitingsaid fuel.

2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said igniting meanscomprises a self-contained igniter adapted to reach ignition temperaturewhen abraded with a friction-providing surface. w

3. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said igniting means isadapted to be abraded by'aifriction surface disposed on the innersurface of said removable section when said section is severed from saidbottom end closure.

4. The invention according to claim 1 including a bottom end closure forsaid shell supporting said fuel within the shell, said end closurehaving a rotatable section manually rotatable to form an aperturetherein through which air may'enter said shell.

5. The invention according to claim 1 including means operativelyassociated with said rotatable section and activated by the rotation ofsaid section for igniting said fuel.

6. Packaging means adapted for heating a product packaged thereincomprising:

a container having a tubular body fabricated from heat-conductivepackaging material and provided with a top end closure for sealing saidproduct within said container;

a shell having an elongated tubular body fabricated from aheat-resistant packaging material and supporting within its upper end;

when in an upright position, the body of said container is in inwardlyspaced ,relation to the body of said shell to define an air gaptherebetween, said shell body being formed with vents communicated withsaid gap to enable escape of air from said shell end;

a supply of fuel disposed within the opposite lower end of said shellbody and below said container, said fuel when ignited causing heated airto circulate upwardly within said shell into contact with the body ofsaid container and thence out through said vents and in so doingconveying heat to the body of said container and the product containedtherein; and

a sleeve of heat insulating material surrounding the body of said shelland slideably fitted thereon, said sleeve being displaceable relative tosaid shell from a normal position coextensive with said shell body inwhich position the sleeve covers the vents formed in said shell body, toa displaced position wherein said vents are uncovered wherein saidsleeve, when in its displaced position and resting upright on a flatsupporting surface, constitutes a stand for holding said shell uprightin. elevated relation to said supporting surface and wherein said sleeveis formed with ports adjacent its lower edge to admit air forcirculation through said shell when said sleeve is serving as a standfor said shell. 1

7. The invention according to claim 6 wherein said ports are covered bythe body of said shell when said sleeve is in its normal position. 1

8. The invention according to claim 6 wherein the outer surface of saidsleeve is capable of being printed upon to enable use of said sleeve asa label for the contained product.

9. Packaging means adapted for heating a product packaged thereincomprising:

a container having a tubular body fabricated from heat conductivepackage material and provided with a top end closure for sealing saidproduct within said container;

a shell having an elongated tubular body fabricated from aheat-resistant packaging material and supporting within its upper end,when in an upright position, the body of said container in inwardlyspaced relation to the body of said shell to define an air gaptherebetween, said shell body being formed with vents communicated withsaid gap to enable escape of air fromsaid shell;

flame-confining means disposed within the lower end of said shell bodyand below said container for confining and directing flame to the bottomportion of said container;

a supply of fuel disposed within said flame-confining means,

said fuel when ignited causing heated air to circulate upwardly withinsaid shell into contact with the body of said container and thence outthrough said vents and in so doing conveying heat through the body ofsaid container and the product contained thereimand wherein said flameconfining means is a funnel and wherein said fuel-is positioned at thelower end thereof, said funnel comprises a flexible wire gauge havingits upper edge extending inwardly toward the center thereof. 10. Theinvention according to claim 9 wherein the lower portion of said funnelis attached to receive igniting means.

1. Packaging means adapted for heating a product packaged thereincomprising: a container having a tubular body fabricated from heatconductive packaging material and provided with a top end closure forsealing said product within said container; a shell having a bottom endclosure and an elongated tubular body fabricated from a heat-resistantpackaging material and supporting within its upper end, when in anupright position, the body of said container in inwardly spaced relationto the body of said shell to define an air gap therebetween, said shellbody being formed with vents communicating with said gap to enable toescape of air from said shell; and a supply of fuel disposed within theopposite lower end of said shell body and supported by said bottom endclosure below said container, said fuel when ignited causing heated airto circulate upwardly within said shell into contact with the body ofsaid container and thence out through said vents and in so doingconveying heat to the body of said container and the product containedtherein, said bottom end closure having a removable section manuallyseverable therefrom to form a rupture through which air may enter intosaid shell, and including means operatively associated with saidremovable section and activated by the severance of said section fromsaid bottom end closure for igniting said fuel.
 2. The inventionaccording to claim 1 wherein said igniting means comprises aself-contained igniter adapted to reach ignition temperature whenabraded with a friction-providing surface.
 3. The invention according toclaim 1 wherein said igniting means is adapted to be abraded by afriction surface disposed on the inner surface of said removable sectionwhen said section is severed from said bottom end closure.
 4. Theinvention according to claim 1 including a bottom end closure for saidshell supporting said fuel within the shell, said end closure having arotatable section manually rotatable to form an aperture therein throughwhich air may enter said shell.
 5. The invention according to claim 1including means operatively associated with said rotatable section andactivated by the rotation of said section for igniting said fuel. 6.Packaging means adapted for heating a product packaged thereincomprising: a container having a tubular body fabricated fromheat-conductive packaging material and provided with a top end closurefor sealing said product within said container; a shell having anelongated tubular body fabricated from a heat-resistant packagingmaterial and supporting within its upper end; when in an uprightposition, the body of said container is in inwardly spaced relation tothe body of said shell to define an air gap therebetween, said shellbody being formed with vents communicated with said gap to enable escapeof air from said shell end; a supply of fuel disposed within theopposite lower end of said shell body and below said container, saidfuel when ignited causing heated air to circulate upwardly within saidshell into contact with the body of said container and thence outthrough said vents and in so doing conveying heat to the body of saidcontainer and the product contained therein; and a sleeve of heatinsulating material surrounding the body of said shell and slideablyfitted thereon, said sleeve being displaceable relative to said shellfrom a normal position coextensive with said shell body in whichposition the sleeve covers the vents formed in said shell body, to adisplaced position wherein said vents are uncovered wherein said sleeve,when in its displaced position and resting upright on a flat supportingsurface, constitutes a stand for holding said shell upright in elevatedrelation to said supporting surface and wherein said sleeve is formedwith ports adjacent its lower edge to admit air for circulation throughsaid shell when said sleeve is serving as a stand for said shell.
 7. Theinvention according to claim 6 wherein said ports are covered by thebody of said shell when said sleeve is in its normal position.
 8. Theinvention according to claim 6 wherein the outer surface of said sleeveis capable of being printed upon to enable use of said sleeve as a labelfor the contained product.
 9. Packaging means adapted for heating aproduct packaged therein comprising: a container having a tubular bodyfabricated from heat conductive package material and provided with a topend closure for sealing said product within said container; a shellhaving an elongated tubular body fabricated from a heat-resistantpackaging material and supporting within its upper end, when in anupright position, the body of said container in inwardly spaced relationto the body of said shell to define an air gap therebetween, said shellbody being formed with vents communicated with said gap to enable escapeof air from said shell; flame-confining means disposed within the lowerend of said shell body and below said container for confining anddirecting flame to the bottom portion of said container; a supply offuel disposed within said flame-confining means, said fuel when ignitedcausing heated air to circulate upwardly within said shell into contactwith the body of said container and thence out through said vents and inso doing conveying heat through the body of said container and theproduct contained therein; and wherein said flame confining means is afunnel and wherein said fuel is positioned at the lower end thereof,said funnel comprises a flexible wire gauge having its upper edgeextending inwardly toward the center thereof.
 10. The inventionaccording to claim 9 wherein the lower portion of said funnel isattached to receive igniting means.